LTFRB lauded for fixed pay of bus drivers, conductors

SECTORAL solons lauded the decision of the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board to implement the government-prescribed salary scheme, working hours and minimum benefits for all bus drivers starting January 16.

“This is a positive albeit long-overdue move by the government,” Bayan Muna party-list Representative Teddy Casiño said Thursday in reaction to LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2012-001, which adopts a part-fixed, part-performance-based system as per the compensation scheme set by the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole).

The circular is based on the ‘Joint Statement of Workers, Operators and Concerned Agencies on the Promotion of Public Transport Safety’ earlier signed between the DOLE and tripartite partners in the bus transport industry “to improve safety and health measures as well as the working conditions of those in the bus transport sector.”

With the compensation based on the applicable minimum wage per region, Representative Luzviminda Ilagan (Gabriela) stressed that “drivers will be assured of fixed income so they will not be competing and road safety is ensured.”

The performance-based component, meanwhile, will be based on safety like zero road accident, zero traffic violation, company revenues and other parameters of performance or productivity.

Dole earlier said through surveys and focused group discussions, it was found out that “the risk-taking behavior of drivers is associated with the lack of proper training on motor skills, safety and on traffic rules; poor health due to long work hours and exposure to health hazards; lack of income security under a purely commission-based compensation scheme; weak enforcement of traffic rules and regulations and; weak licensing system.”

In signing the joint statement, “workers, operators and concerned government agencies of the public transport safety committed to improve the working conditions in the bus transport sector by regulating the number of working hours, taking into consideration existing rules and the conditions and requirements of the industry.”

“All public utility bus (PUB) drivers and conductors will be also be entitled to mandatory benefits, including overtime, nightshift differential, rest day, holiday pay and service incentive leave,” the manifesto stressed.